The 2023 UCL final takes place in June, as Manchester City vs. Inter Milan comes into play at Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. However, the Nerazzurri are already on the list of teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles.
That means the Serie A side is no stranger to playing in the UCL final. Despite the pressure of the competition, they have won the title more than once in Europe.
However, the Citizens haven’t won the UCL in their career. Pep Guardiola lost it to Chelsea in 2021, and they are now in the final again.
Manchester City are expected to do everything to win the trophy in Istanbul. Because it may left a stigma on Guardiola’s legacy at the club.
Of course, the Spanish gaffer hasn’t won the European trophy since he left Barcelona. That’s why he would fight Inter Milan tooth and nail to become the champion.
Statistically, Manchester City have enough weapons to destroy the Nerazzurri in Istanbul. However, the Italian side won’t take it lightly against them.
As a result, Inter Milan already have the experience of playing in the final. Because they are among the European teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles.
Real Madrid are considered the European champions of all time in the world of football. Because they have lifted the trophy twice more than any other team in Europe.
Almost all Los Angeles players, past and present, are UCL champions. Which means the La Liga side understands the competition better than any other team.
Who are the top 10 players with the most UEFA Champions League titles?
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 5
- Gareth Bale – 5
- Karim Benzema – 5
- Dani Carvajal – 5
- Toni Kroos – 5
- Luka Modric – 5
- Casemiro – 5
- Marcelo – 5
- Isco – 5
- Nacho – 5
Obviously, Los Blancos are football heritage when it comes to European competitions. They usually play with a high level of winning mentality, always want to become champions.
Achievement-wise, no football player has won more than 5 UCL titles. And that’s a legacy for the players named above, winning five UCL trophies isn’t a joke.
Real Madrid would have made it to another final, had they been able to eliminate Manchester City. They always dazzle outstandingly in the competition.
Performance-wise, they are poor in all competitions this campaign. However, they managed to make it to the semi-finals, almost destroyed Pep Guardiola’s troops.
There’s a reason Cristiano Ronaldo is called Mr. Champions League. Because many records in the competition belong to him, even though he’s now out of Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Nevertheless, Inter Milan have the chance to add to their number of UCL titles in June. Or Manchester City wins their first ever European trophy as a club. .
Here are the 10 European teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles in history
10. Chelsea – 2 times (Premier League)
Despite the fact that there’s a lot currently going on at the West London club. They have been able to win the UCL two times, both under Roman Abramovich.
With that being said, the Blues are literally above other London clubs (Arsenal, Tottenham). That’s why they are one of the big EPL teams in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in 2011/2012 with Roberto Di Matteo. They defeated Bayern Munich in the final on penalties.
At the same time, they defeated Manchester City and Pep Guardiola to win it in 2020-2021. That was under Thomas Tuchel, before the arrival of the American billionaire, Todd Boehly.
Of course, the West London club have been bad in all competitions under the new owners. Nevertheless, they are expected to be unstoppable in the next few seasons.
9. Juventus – 2 times (Serie A)
Obviously, the Old Lady are literally tied to Chelsea. As regards the teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles in football history.
Juventus haven’t been able to win the UCL in the 21st century. However, they have lifted the trophy twice in history, which makes them one of the European champions.
The Serie A side bagged the title in 1884-1886 and 1995-1996. Of course, they have been struggling to win the trophy again since 1996.
Regardless of their consistency in the Italian league. The Old Lady usually performs awfully in the UEFA Champions League, struggling from the beginning.
However, the 2023-2024 campaign starts in August. Therefore, Juventus are most likely to go far in the competition, wanting to win the UCL for the first time in the 21st century.
8. Manchester United – 3 times (Premier League)
Of course, the Red Devils were unstoppable in all competitions under Sir Alex Ferguson, when he was still at Old Trafford. However, they were able to win just one UCL under him.
Manchester United haven’t won more than one UEFA Champions League trophy in the 21st century. They usually struggle in every European competition.
The Premier League haven’t been able to replace Sir Alex Ferguson since he left the club. However, Erik ten Hag is expected to take the club to the next level in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Manchester United won the UCL in 1967/1968, 1998/1999 and 2007/2008. That’s why they are literally above Chelsea, because the West London club won just two titles.
Erik ten Hag has the ability to win the UCL with the Red Devils, having seen his stats at Ajax. However, the club would have to surround him with enough excellent players.
7. Inter Milan – 3 times (Serie A)
The Nerazzurri are tied with Manchester United, having won just three. However, they may make it four at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, if they win over Manchester City.
Inter Milan have many things in common with the Red Devils, as regards the UEFA Champions League. They also won it just once in the 21st century.
As a result, they are expected to be hard on Pep Guardiola’s men in June. Because they wouldn’t want to miss out on winning the trophy for the fourth time.
The Nerazzurri lifted the UCL two times (1963/1964, 1964/1965) when it was still called the European Champion Clubs’ Cup. And they also won it in 2009/2010.
Apparently, Inter Milan are no small club in Europe’s top-5 leagues. Despite the fact that they have been kind of poor in the competition for many years.
6. Ajax – 4 times (Eredivisie)
Frankly, it’s unbelievable to see the Dutch side on the list of teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles in the world of football.
Achievement-wise, Ajax have lifted more UCL trophies than Chelsea, Manchester United, and the rest. But they haven’t won it in the 21st century.
The Eredivisie side have had many brilliant and talented players in the past. And they produce extraordinary players every season. Even though they are out of Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Ajax bagged the UCL Cup in the 1970/1971, 1971/1972, 1972/1973, and 1994/1995 seasons. Of course, they were crowned champions for three consecutive campaigns.
Speaking of the 21st century, Erik ten Hag managed to make it to the semi-finals in 2019 with Ajax. However, he lost to Tottenham, who later lost to Liverpool in the final.
5. Barcelona – 5 times (La Liga)
As regards the UEFA Champions League, it’s obvious that the Bluagranas are behind Real Madrid. Despite this, they are also unstoppable in the competition.
Barcelona have won some UCL titles with Lionel Messi. That’s why the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion will forever remain in the hearts of all their fans.
The Culers won the trophy four times in the 21st century. Which means they are up there with Los Blancos, fighting for and winning the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona lifted the title in 1991/1992, 2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, and 2014/2015. They were brilliant under managers like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
Since that 2014/2015 season, the Bluagranas have been dazzling awfully in the competition. They have always been poor in European competitions since then.
4. Bayern Munich – 6 times (Bundesliga)
Speaking of European competitions, the Bavarians were unstoppable before and in the 21st century. They always go far in the competition, playing with a high level of zeal.
Bayern Munich are no small team in Europe’s top-5 leagues. Regardless of their current performance, they usually dominate the Bundesliga every season.
The Bavarians have been able to win the UEFA Champions League six times. That’s literally more than Inter Milan, Manchester United, Chelsea, and the rest.
Bayern Munich were champions in 1973/1974, 1974/1975, 1975/1976, 2000/2001, 2012/2013, and 2019/2020. Amazingly, they also won it for three successive campaigns, dominating Europe.
The Bavarians put on an extraordinary display in the UCL, having been among the teams with the most UEFA Champions League titles in the history of football.
3. Liverpool – 6 times (Premier League)
Despite the dominance of Real Madrid in the competition. Premier League clubs usually make it to the semi-finals or finals every season in the 21st century.
Of course, Manchester City are in the final this season, as they will be facing Inter Milan in Istanbul. The English always show their abilities.
In the midst of Manchester United and Chelsea. Liverpool have been able to win the UCL 6 times, the most of any Premier League team in football history.
The Reds have lifted the trophy twice in this particular century. Which are 2004/2005 and 2018/2019, their last victory was against Tottenham under Jurgen Klopp.
At the same time, they won it 4 times before the 21st century. Which are 1976/1977, 1977/1978, 1980/1981, and 1983/1984. Obviously, Liverpool are no small club in Europe.
2. AC Milan – 7 times (Serie A)
Before the competition was changed to the UEFA Champions League. The Rossoneri dominated the competition, having won it four times before the 21st century.
Nevertheless, AC Milan are seven-time UCL champions. Therefore, that literally makes them the Italian club with the most UCL titles, above Inter Milan and Juventus.
Also, the Rossoneri usually dish out impressive performances in the competition. They made it to the semi-finals this season, but were eliminated by the Nerazzurri.
AC Milan were able to lift the trophy in 1962/63, 1968/69, 1988/1989, 1989/1990, 1993/1994, 2002/2003, and 2006/2007. They once won the title for two consecutive seasons.
Frankly, the Rossoneri haven’t been impressive in competition this century. Regardless, they are one of the top teams in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
1. Real Madrid – 14 times (La Liga)
Los Blancos are incomparable when it comes to performing in the UEFA Champions League. They are literally the team with the most trophies in the competition, always play with a winning spirit.
Almost all Real Madrid players have won one or two UCLs in their professional football careers. That’s why youngsters always wanted to play for the La Liga side.
Los Blancos were amazing in competition before and in the 21st century. Of course, the La Liga side have had many brilliant and talented players in the past.
Real Madrid have won the UEFA Champions League 17 times. Frankly, that’s amazing and unbelievable. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and others are not even close.
The Spanish side lifted the trophy in 1955/1956, 1956/1957, 1957/1958, 1958/1959, 1959/1960, 1965/1966, 1997/1998, 1999/2000, 2001/2002, 2013/2014, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, and 2021/2022. They claimed it for five successive campaigns.